Why do these Republican traitors even get airtime?
Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) recently took aim at Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) for his defense of President Trump’s controversial pardons for individuals involved in the January 6th Capitol riot. Speaking on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360, Kinzinger, a staunch critic of the rioters, questioned Johnson’s use of religious rhetoric to justify the pardons.
“As a Christian, I find it troubling to hear Speaker Johnson say, ‘We believe in redemption,’” Kinzinger said, expressing his disbelief. “How dare you invoke the Bible to defend this?”
Kinzinger’s comments came after Speaker Johnson stated that he supported Trump’s decision to pardon nearly 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6th insurrection. The pardons included rioters who had assaulted police officers during the chaos at the Capitol, many of whom faced significant legal consequences for their violent actions.
Johnson, who has been an outspoken advocate for second chances, defended Trump’s move, emphasizing the idea of redemption. “We believe in second chances,” Johnson said, adding that it was ultimately the president’s decision. “You could argue that they didn’t face a heavy enough penalty, having been incarcerated, but that’s for you to decide. The president made his choice, and we move forward.”
Kinzinger’s harsh rebuke of the Speaker was rooted in his view that the pardons undermined justice, especially for law enforcement officers who were targeted during the riot. He later challenged Johnson to fully defend the pardons, questioning whether the Speaker would truly support putting convicted criminals back on the streets.
Republican lawmakers have expressed mixed reactions to the pardons, with some, like Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), voicing concerns over pardoning individuals convicted of violent crimes. “It’s wrong to pardon those convicted of violent crime, especially when law enforcement officers were the victims,” Moran stated.
Kinzinger, however, remains resolute in his criticism, predicting that those who support the pardons, including President Trump, will be “scorned” by history. As the GOP grapples with the fallout from the pardons, many Republicans are reluctant to speak out against the president, but Kinzinger’s comments reveal a deeper division within the party on how to handle the legacy of January 6th.